Curtain stretcher roller



Feb. 28, 1950 J. v. PIERCE'Y 2,498,953

CURTAIN STRETCHER ROLLER Filed Feb. 15, 1946 Patented Feb. 28, 1950 gT'T UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE James V. Piercey, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 15, 1946, Serial No. 647,914

The invention relates to a roller device for conveniently and quicklyattaching curtains and similar fabrics to a curtain stretcher.

A curtain stretcher of the type with which the roller device is usedcomprises four side frame members adjustably connected to each other attheir ends to form a square or rectangular frame of suificientdimensions to accommodate the curtains to be stretched or dried thereon.To 'maintain the curtain on the curtain stretcher frame, a row of smallpins are secured to each side frame member so that they projecttherefrom. The pins may be immovably secured to the frame members orsecured in such a manner that they may 'be slid along the frame memberuntil spaced so as to hold the curtain without undue tension at any oneportion.

A curtain is attached to a curtain stretcher of this type by manuallyengaging the edge of the curtain with the individual pins. This isaccomplished by the operator holding the curtain near its edge andpushing the curtain edge successively over the pins against the curtainstretcher frame. While this manner of attachment provides a secureengagement of the curtain with the pins, such method is inconvenient andunpleasant in that the hands and fingers of the operator are beingconstantly pricked by contact with pin points. Moreover, such method ofattaching the curtain to the stretcher is slow and laborious.

Despite these objections, the conventional curtain stretcher is widelyused because of the efficiency with which the curtain is dried withoutwrinkling and because of the accuracy with which the curtainis stretchedto the desired size,

7 Claims. (01. 81-3) Such a curtain stretcher is inexpensive and iscurtain is secured to the pins of the stretcher frame without the handsor fingers of the operator coming into contact with the pin points, andmuch more rapidly than where the curtain is individually engaged withthe pins.

The curtain stretcher roller device embodying the invention is in theform of a spool which is rotatably supported by a. handle so that thespool may be rolled along the curtain stretcher frame. The spoolincludes a number ofpusher 3 members which operate to force the curtainover 2 I the pins as the spool is moved along the frame. By the use ofthe curtain stretcher roller, the

curtain is attached to the pins of each frame member by merely movingthe roller over the edge of the curtain and along the frame withthe-pusher members of the spool in alignment with the pins. The curtainis automatically forced over the pins by the pusher members as the spoolrolls along the frame. The roller provides rapid and convenientattachment of the curtain to the curtain stretcher, and one in whichthere is no necessity for contact of the operator's fingers with thepins.

In addition to the feature of utilizing pusher members to effectengagement of the curtain with the pins of the curtain stretcher, theinvention provides means whereby the roller device is guided along eachframe member in proper alignment with the pins. The guide featureincreases the rapidity and convenience of the attachment of the curtainto the stretcher frame because it insures automatic alignment of thepusher members with the pins.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to providemeans whereby a curtain may be rapidly and conveniently attached to acurtain stretcher without contact of the operamembers for attachingcurtains to a curtain stretcher which includes means for guiding theroller along the curtain stretcher frame so that the pusher members arein correct alignment with the pins of the curtain stretcher frame.

In the drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts:

Fig. 1 is a view of one corner of a curtain stretcher frame showing themanner of use of the curtain Stretcher roller embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the spool portion of the curtainstretcher roller;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the spool of a modified form of theinvention; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on lines 55 of Fig. 4.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the curtain stretcher roller Icomprises a spool II rotatably supported by a handle I2, the spoolincluding pusher members I3 suitably secured to the spool. The curtainstretcher roller I0 is adapted to be used with a curtain stretcher ofthe type generally indicated at I6 which includes curtain stretcher sideframe IT. The curtain stretcher frame I6 is of rectangular form asprovided by a plurality of stretcher frame members IT and I8 whichengage each other at corners 20 in such a manner that the dimensions ofthe fram I! may be varied as desired, within wide limits. spaced pointsalong each of the stretcher frame. members It are secure pins I9 whichgenerally comprise a pointed end to facilitate attachment.

of the curtain and a shank of suitable length to adequately support thecurtain 2 I attached thereto. Preferably, the pins I9 are secured to thestretcher member-s along; a portion of decreased thickness extending thelength of such members. A cross. section of side frame members I8 isillustrated inFigs. 2 and 5, and shows the main body portioniifa and pinledge 86-. The pins I9 are suffici'ently close together so that thecurtain 2i is not subject to undesirable tension at any single point.

In the preferred form of the invention as shown in Fig. 2,.spool IIincludes pin channel 22 formed around the circumference or periphery ofthe spool- Preferably, the pin channel 22 is at one end. of. the, spooland is of sufiicient width and depth to receive pins I9. Across the pinchannel 22, are secured pusher members I3 adapted to forcethe curtain 2!over the. pins; I9. the pusher. members I3 extends into the body of thespool I I a sufficient distance to efiect a secure engagement, thereto.In this embodiment of, the invention, the pusher members I3. comprise.sec.- tions of; thin rod or wire-which are spaced along the pin channel.22. a distance similar to that between pins Iil on the stretcher frame.The pusher members It. are of, sufficient. rigidity to force the fabricover pins I9, as well. as either to be deflected or toy cause the: pintobe deflected, when the members. occasionally contact the pins.

astheroller: ismovedalong the frame. It is de-' sirable that the axiallyextending pusher portions 25 of the pusher members (that. is, the pushermembers proper) be of. minimum thickness as to facilitate suchdeflection of either the pin. or pusher member. These pusher portions 25are. spaced. radially from the spoolso the pins I9 can. entertherebetween without contacting the spool. Since the dimension of thepusher portions 25 of the-pusher. members iii are thin in. a directioncircumferentially of the spoolin comparison. to:

the circumferential spacing of these members, said. members can beregarded asdefining spaces therebetwcenspaced circumferentially of, thespool and of greater extent circumferentially of the. spool-thantheindividual extent. of, suchmembers circumferentially of the spool.

The spool il is. rotatably supported by handle I2. which engages thespool at center opening 23.. The handle I2- comprises shank 2t) which isdi.-- vided near the spool into fork 28. Spindle portions- 2iareprovided at the ends, of the fork for engaging the spool within opening23.. land gripv 218 may besecured to-shank 24 for convenient operationof the curtain stretcher roller.

A further feature ofthe invention is the pro.- vision of guide: means.on: the spool I whichv enables thepusher members I3 to be aligned withthe pins I9 as the roller is moved: along. the.

Each of.

stretcher frame. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guidemeans comprises guide channel 31 which is provided on spool I I as shownin Figs. 1 and 2. Guide channel 3|, adjacent to channel 22, is of awidth greater than that of the main body portion 45 of frame member I8.The channels 22 and 3I are separated by wall 32 and the bottom of thchannel 3| constitutes one peripheral section of the spool while thebottom of, channel 22 constitutesan adjacent peripheral section. Thepusher members proper I3 register radially of the spool with saidadjacent peripheral section.

In. the operation of the curtain stretcher roller,

the curtain is held by the operator with its edge or hem adjacent topins I9. The roller I0 is then moved along the frame member I! withpusher members I3 in alignment with the pins. As the roller is. movedalong the frame, the pusher members I3 pass between the pins and forcethe curtain over the pins, the shank of the pins entering and.withdrawing from the pin channel 22 as the device is moved; Upon contactof an edge with; a pin, thepin or the pusher member is de- .fiec.ted sovthat the pin passes the edge 25 and enters the pin; channel.

In a modified form of the invention as shown in. Figs- 4. and. 5,. thecurtain. stretcher roller It includes spool 36 of cylindrical shape andhaving center opening 3-! formed therein. To one end of; the-spool 36 isattached a rigid disc-like member or plate 38. of a diameter greaterthan that of the spool so as: to provide a circumferential endwallthereof, the plate: 38 being secured to the spool by suitable fasteningmeans 39. Plate 38. includes blades (pusher elements or members) IIwhich are bent from the plate so that they extend radially from thespool. Outer edges 42 (pusher portions), are provided b the blades ii,the edges- 42. extending in a, plane substantially parallel tothe axisof the spool. These edges or pusher portions 12 are spaced-both radiallyand axially from. the spool. As in the case of pusher members I3, it. isdesirable that the edges 42 of the; blades be of. minimum thickness tofacilitate passage. of the edges between the pins I9. Edges 42. of. theblades are similar to edges 25 of the pusher members. I3 in that theyform the outer limit of. thespace in which the pins I9 enter asthe-roller is moved along the frame.

In this modified form of the invention, the guide means is provided bythe cylindrical surface: 43 of thespool; 33 adjacent to the plate 38. Byholding the. plate inthe channel between the main bodyportion 45 and;the pin ledge 46, the surface 43- maintains the blades II in alignmentwiththe pins I9.-.

Having thus. described my invention, what I,

claim as new and wish tosecure-by United States Letters; Patent is:

1. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having aframe with pinsprojecting therefrom at spaced points which, comprises. a, cylindricalspool having a channel around its periphery, a handle rotatablyengaginthespool at the center of at least one end thereof, and; a plurality ofpusher members secured to the spool.- at spaced points and eachv havinga. thin outside edge extending across the channel;v said: channel beingof sufficient' depth and width toreceive the pins when the rolleris.movedalong the frame.

2. Aroller. for use with. a curtain stretcher havinga. frame; with pinsprojecting therefrom at spaced. pointswhich comprises a cylindricalspool having, a-pinichannel andan adjacentguide chan.

nel around its periphery, a handle rotatabl engaging the spool at thecenter of at least one end thereof, and a plurality of pusher memberssecured to the spool at spaced points and each having a thin outsideedge extending across said pin channel, the guide channel being ofgreater width than that of the frame and the pin channel being ofsufficient width and depth to receive the pins as the roller is movedalong the frame.

3. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with pinsprojecting therefrom at spaced points which comprises a cylindricalspool, a handle rotatably engaging the spool at the center of at leastone end thereof, and a rigid disclike member of a diameter greater thanthat of the spool centered on one end of the spool, said member having aplurality of blades which extend radially from the spool and each ofwhich provides a thin edge extending in a, plane substantially parallelto the axis of the spool.

4. For use with a curtain stretcher frame member of the type having apin ledge carrying a row of pins spaced laterally from and extendinglengthwise of a main body portion, a circumferentially flanged spoolrotatably mounted on a handle, the flange having a width axially of thespool less than the distance between the main body portion of the framemember and the row of pins on the pin ledge, and a plurality of likespaced rigid pusher members projecting outwardly from the flange axiallyof the spool and spaced circumferentially thereof, said pusher membersdefining spaces therebetween, and the extent of said spacescircumferentially of the spool exceeding the extent of the pushermembers circumferentially of the spool.

5. In a roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with arow of pins projecting therefrom at spaced points, a cylindrical spool,a handle rotatably engaging the spool at the center of at least one endthereof, and a plurality of pusher members mounted on the spool inspaced relation circumferentially thereof, said pusher members havingpusher portions projecting axially of the spool in spaced relationcircumferentially thereof, and said pusher portions being also spacedfrom the spool and defining circumferentially spaced spaces therebetweenfor receiving the pins incident to rolling of the roller on the framebeside said row of pins.

6. In a roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with arow of pins projecting therefrom at spaced points, a spool having acylindrical periphery and a, circumferential end wall, a handlerotatably engaging the spool at the center of at least one end thereof,and a plurality of pusher members mounted on said end wall incircumferentially spaced relation with respect to the spool andprojecting from such wall axially of the spool, and said membersdefining spaces therebetween spaced circumferentially of the spool andof greater individual extent circumferentially of the spool than theindividual extent of such members circumferentially of the spool, tofacilitate such spaces receiving the pins when the roller is rolled uponthe frame along said row of pins.

7. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with a rowof pinsprojecting therefrom at points spaced along such row, a spoolhaving a, cylindrical periphery, flange means extendingcircumferentially of the spool intermediate the length thereof formaintaining one circumferential section thereof in rolling relation uponsaid frame pursuant to the spool being rolled upon the frame inparallelism with said row of pins, an adjacent circumferential sectionof the spool being adapted to register with said row of pins duringrolling of the one section along the frame, and curtain pusher elementsmounted upon said spool at a position spaced radially from and inregistration with said adjacent circumferential section, and said pusherelements being spaced apart to receive the pins therebetween incident topressing the curtain onto the pins.

JAMES V. PIERCEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,007,067 Yarger July 2, 19352,369,452 Gamache Feb. 13, 1945

